Some sad news out of THQ as the company has announced a "strategic realignment of its internal studio development teams." Basically, THQ is moving away from their kids and movie-based properties to focus on "high-quality owned IP with broad appeal that can be leveraged across multiple platforms."

The shift in focus has thus caused 200 people to lose their jobs and has seen the two THQ studios in Australia and and one in Phoenix to be shut down. At the very least, all affected employees can still apply for any open positions in other THQ studios that are still operational, which are now comprised of these five main branches:

THQ Montreal (Unannounced new IP)

Volition (Saints Row: The Third, inSANE)

Relic Entertainment (Company of Heroes, Space Marine)

Vigil Games (Darksiders II)

THQ San Diego (WWE)

Additionally, THQ has thrown in the towel on the MX Vs ATV franchise. In case you forgot, the Red Faction series was put to rest just last week. Oh, don't worry about the Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville Online game for Facebook. It's safe. Thank Christ.

Sad news all around. We wish all those affected the best of luck at finding news gigs.

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